Necropsy finds TB in elephant at Little Rock Zoo

The elephant, named Jewell, was euthanized after staff members discovered her lying on her side, unable to get up.

Associated Press

A 62-year-old elephant that was euthanized last month at the Little Rock Zoo after it was unable to stand tested positive for tuberculosis, according to preliminary necropsy results.

The elephant, named Jewell, was euthanized after staff members discovered her lying on her side, unable to get up. Necropsy results showed that tissue from the elephant tested positive for tuberculosis, though the official cause of death will be listed as euthanasia due to arthritis and severe musculoskeletal problems, the zoo said.

Susan Weinstein, the state public health veterinarian, said zoo employees who had contact with the elephants will be tested for tuberculosis. Weinstein told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/1dZfE4I ) that zoo visitors aren't at risk because they did not have close contact with the elephants.

"We have a list of everyone who has been in close contact with the elephants or with the necropsy area," Weinstein said. "We are going to set up blood tests at our local health unit for those employees, but tuberculosis can take anywhere from eight to 12 weeks to even show up. There's not any point in testing earlier."

The animal-welfare group In Defense of Animals is asking that the zoo's remaining elephant, Zina, be moved to another facility.

"We urge them to move Zina to a habitat where she can receive the best possible long-term care," said Nicole Meyer, director of the group's elephant and horse protection campaigns. "It would be irresponsible of the zoo to move in the direction to bring another elephant into the outdated and cramped structure. We would urge them to close the elephant program."

As in humans, tuberculosis can be dormant in an elephant without causing any symptoms. The zoo said both Zina and Jewell had previously tested positive for tuberculosis antibodies but follow-up tests did not reveal tuberculosis at the time.

"I feel comfortable, based on the examination and what I saw, saying that (Jewell) did not have active tuberculosis," zoo veterinarian Kim Rainwater said. "We saw the walled-off granulomas in her lungs that are consistent with exposure, but there were no lesions in her trunk and no lesions in her trachea, and there were no signs in her lymph nodes of an infection."